News

Goes for 37 yards in Saints debut

Cook brought in both of his targets for 37 yards in the Saints' 30-28 win over the Texans on Monday.

Analysis: Cook had a quiet night Monday, seeing just two looks in the game. His long gainer was a 31-yard catch-and-run when he broke free on man-to-man coverage, but he was otherwise invisible. Playing alongside target hogs Michael Thomas (13) and Alvin Kamara (eight) will make it difficult for Cook to have a consistent weekly role, though his upside is undeniable playing with Drew Brees.

Published: Tue, Sep 10 at 5:31am by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Misses Saturday's game

Cook didn't suit up for Saturday's preseason contest against the Jets, Herbie Teope of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Analysis: Veterans are often held out of exhibition action, even one on a new team like Cook. Making the decision easier was the fact he logged his first catch as a Saint last Sunday. However, Katherine Terrell of The Athletic noted that Cook was gimpy in the first part of Thursday's practice, and while he fit in some reps afterward, he was unable to complete the session. The nature of any health concern is unknown, but if that is indeed the case then Cook is likely sitting out more as a precaution than…read more

Published: Sat, Aug 24 at 5:09pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Makes first catch of preseason

Cook caught one of two targets for four yards in Sunday's preseason win over the Chargers.

Analysis: It wasn't much, but the grab was Cook's first catch as a Saint after he sat out the team's opener against the Vikings. The veteran tight end is coming off the best season of his career in Oakland, and while the New Orleans offense hasn't produced a big fantasy campaign from a tight end since Ben Watson in 2015, Cook's size, skills and athleticism should make him an attractive target for Drew Brees.

Published: Sun, Aug 18 at 5:39pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Gets top billing on depth chart

Cook is listed as the No. 1 tight end on the Saints' initial depth chart of training camp, Jeff Duncan of The Athletic reports.

Analysis: Cook has been a member of the Saints for just four-and-a-half months, and he's already built a notable rapport with veteran signal-caller Drew Brees, making numerous highlight catches in camp. Cook's presence will help to keep opposing defenses honest in an offense that features Brees, Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara. The latter duo should scoop a majority of looks from Brees, but a productive campaign from Cook is possible after he posted a 68-896-6 line on 101 targets with the Raiders in 2018.

Published: Wed, Aug 7 at 7:48pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Building chemistry

Analysis: Cook signed with the Saints in May and appears to be making the most of his increased reps with Brees. The veteran tight end is coming off a stellar season in Oakland, in which he notched career highs in catches (68), yards (896) and touchdowns (6). Cook stands to play a big role in New Orleans' receiving game in 2019 if he and Brees are able to establish solid chemistry before Week 1.

Published: Sat, Jul 27 at 11:48am by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Signs with Saints

Coach Sean Payton said Tuesday that Cook has signed with the Saints, Rod Walker of The New Orleans Advocate reports.

Analysis: The deal has been in the works since last week, but neither team nor player had confirmed the signing prior to Payton's comment Tuesday morning. Coming off the best statistical year of his career, Cook will head to New Orleans for his age-32 season, presumably serving as the third or fourth option in a passing attack led by future Hall of Famer Drew Brees. With Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara dominating volume, the Saints only sent 89 targets to their tight ends last season, including 46 to the…read more

Published: Tue, Mar 26 at 8:51am by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Likely headed to New Orleans

Cook is expected to sign with the Saints, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: Cook left New Orleans unsigned after visiting with the team last week. While it isn't clear if the tight end has visited other potential suitors since then, it's becoming clear the tight end has decided on the Saints to continue his playing career. Should Cook ultimately put pen to paper, he'll provide Drew Brees with a nice upgrade at the tight end position -- at least from a receiving perspective.

Published: Thu, Mar 21 at 7:45am by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Remains unsigned

Cook remains unsigned after visiting with the Saints last week, Sheil Kapadia of The Athletic reports.

Analysis: While no other visits have been reported, Cook surely is drawing interest from multiple teams as the top tight end on the market. A return to Oakland also would make sense given that the Raiders haven't lined up a replacement. Heading into his age-32 season, Cook should sign a contract soon enough.

Published: Tue, Mar 19 at 7:38am by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Meeting with Saints

Cook will visit with the Saints on Thursday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: Cook proved that he had plenty to give in two campaigns with the Raiders. Overall, he totaled 122 catches (on 187 targets) for 1,584 yards and eight touchdowns in 32 games. Tight end is a need in New Orleans following the retirement of Ben Watson, so if Cook does land a contract in the coming days, the soon-to-be 32-year-old would benefit in the upgrade from Derek Carr to Drew Brees.

Published: Wed, Mar 13 at 4:30pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Could return to Oakland

Raiders coach Jon Gruden said he would like to re-sign Cook this offseason, Scott Bair of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Analysis: Gruden also acknowledged the market will be competitive after the 31-year-old tight end finally came through with his long-awaited breakout season. Cook caught 68 of 101 targets for 896 yards and six touchdowns in 2018, producing his second-best mark for yards per target (8.9) in addition to career-high counting stats across the board. Cook easily tops the class of impending free agents at tight end, though he could have some competition once teams release overpriced veterans. He'll turn 32 in…read more

Published: Tue, Jan 22 at 12:56pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Enjoys career-best season

Cook caught three of five targets for 28 yards during Sunday's 35-3 loss to the Chiefs.

Analysis: Cook was unable to take advantage of what should have been a pass-friendly game flow for the Raiders after they fell behind by three scores early. The tight end posted three or less receptions in each of the team's last three games of the season after back-to-back seven-catch, 100-plus-yard efforts in Weeks 13 and 14. Nonetheless, Cook totaled career-best numbers in his age-31 campaign, nabbing 68 of 101 targets for 896 yards and six touchdowns in 16 games. He'll become an unrestricted free…read more

Published: Wed, Jan 2 at 6:16pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Cleared to play

Cook (ribs) does not carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Chiefs.

Analysis: Cook, who was limited at practice all week, has logged back-to-back subpar efforts. Prior to that, though, he recorded seven receptions twice in a row. After catching a fantasy-friendly 65 passes for 868 yards and six TDs in 15 games to date, the tight end profiles as a bounce-back candidate Week 17, assuming his rib issue isn't a major hindrance.

Published: Fri, Dec 28 at 1:53pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Remains limited at practice

Cook (ribs) remained limited at practice Thursday.

Analysis: Back-to-back practices -- albeit in a limited fashion -- would seem to pave the way for Cook to suit up for Sunday's season finale against the Chiefs. We'll revisit the tight end's status Friday to see if he's listed as questionable for that contest, or is removed from Oakland's Week 17 injury report altogether.

Published: Thu, Dec 27 at 3:53pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Limited by rib injury

Cook was limited at practice Wednesday due to a rib injury, Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.

Analysis: Cook's limitations come after he played 34 of the Raiders' 62 offensive snaps in Monday's 27-14 win over the Broncos, during which he hauled in two of three targets for 20 yards. He's logged back-to-back quiet efforts, but prior to that, Cook reeled in seven passes twice in a row. He'll be a bounce-back candidate in Week 17 against the Chiefs, assuming the rib issue doesn't provide too many complications.

Published: Wed, Dec 26 at 3:50pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Limited in Week 16

Cook corralled two of three targets for 20 receiving yards during Monday's 27-14 win against the Broncos.

Analysis: In two outings against Denver this season, Cook has averaged three receptions for 34.5 yards per game with zero touchdowns, compared to 4.5 catches and 61.5 yards per game with six TDs against all other opponents. Despite a current two-game slump in which he's managed a measly 43 combined yards on four receptions, 2018 has been a breakout campaign for the 10th-year player. Cook entered Week 16 having tripled his touchdown output of a season ago, while ranking as TE5 in PPR and standard scoring…read more

Published: Mon, Dec 24 at 9:49pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Underwhelming in loss

Cook caught two passes for 23 yards on five targets during Sunday's 30-16 loss to the Bengals.

Analysis: Cook came crashing back to earth Sunday with a lackluster two-catch performance after combining for 14 receptions and 216 receiving yards in the Raiders' previous two games. Game flow should have aided in Cook's potential volume as the Raiders fell behind, 17-0, in the first half, but the tight end was still unable to rack up a meaningful stat line. The 31-year-old will look to get back on track Week 16 against the Broncos on Monday night.

Published: Mon, Dec 17 at 3:27pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Another productive effort in win

Cook brought in seven of 10 targets for 116 yards in the Raiders' 24-21 win over the Steelers on Sunday.

Analysis: Cook paced the Raiders in receptions, receiving yards and targets, putting together his second consecutive 100-yard effort. The 10-year pro continues to be a favorite target of Derek Carr all over the field, and the chief blemish on his performance Sunday was that he saw his three-game touchdown streak come to an end. Cook will look to continue his stellar late-season production versus the Bengals in Week 15.

Published: Sun, Dec 9 at 6:42pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Hits century mark, scores in win

Analysis: With another stellar showing Sunday, the 10-year veteran eclipsed 100 receiving yards for the third time this season but for just the first time in his past eight outings (averaged 34.1 YPG between Weeks 5 and 12). Cook has proven to be a lethal red-zone threat of late as well, with a touchdown reception in three straight appearances, as well as four scores over the past six games. Week 14 brings a matchup against a Steelers defense that's been below-average at defending tight ends this year,…read more

Published: Sun, Dec 2 at 7:02pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Scores for second straight game

Cook caught two of five targets for 32 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's 34-17 loss to the Ravens.

Analysis: Derek Carr threw way behind Cook on a pass up the sideline late in the third quarter. It was fine: The athletic tight end stuck out his paw, palmed the pass and hauled it in for a 16-yard touchdown, putting the game to within a score. The Raiders have mostly endured an ugly season, particularly as of late, but Cook is as valuable of any of the team's targets. The Raiders have just six passing touchdowns over the past five weeks, Cook has three of them. Expect him to be counted on next Sunday…read more

Published: Sun, Nov 25 at 4:12pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Scores in Week 11 victory

Cook corralled three of six targets, putting up 31 receiving yards and a touchdown during Sunday's 23-21 win against Arizona.

Analysis: The veteran tight end clinched his second receiving score over Oakland's past four games -- and his fourth touchdown of the season -- with a 23-yard catch from Derek Carr on Oakland's third play from scrimmage. Cook has cooled off after a roaring first quarter to the regular season (370 yards and two touchdowns through Week 4), averaging 3.2 catches and fewer than 35 yards per game in six outings since. Week 12 brings a matchup against a Ravens defense that's been exposed in allowing 54 catches…read more

Published: Sun, Nov 18 at 6:46pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Leads team in targets during defeat

Cook caught four of nine targets for 52 yards in Sunday's 20-6 loss to the Chargers.

Analysis: Cook has seen his production drop off immensely after what was a torrid start to the season by his standards. He entered the week with three games of 20 yards or fewer in his last four and seemed headed towards a similar fate in this one when he saw just two targets and recorded no catches in the first half. After hauling in four of his seven second-half targets to salvage his day, perhaps the Raiders will look to the 31-year-old more frequently starting Week 11 at Arizona.

Published: Sun, Nov 11 at 7:05pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Limited to two receptions

Cook brought in both of his targets for 20 yards in the Raiders' 34-3 loss to the 49ers on Thursday.

Analysis: It was a positively pedestrian night for the Raiders' passing attack overall, and Cook's production suffered as a result. The veteran tight end has certainly proven capable of the occasional explosive outing this season, but his week-to-week upside remains partly capped by the inconsistent play under center. Cook now has a pair of two-catch tallies over his last three games, and he'll look to up his numbers versus the Chargers in a Week 10 divisional battle.

Published: Thu, Nov 1 at 9:04pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com